Parliamentary questions

Air Traffic Control Services

Darren O'Rourke

656. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding air traffic control fees for military flights using Irish airspace and airports here; if fees are waived for military aircraft; if so, the cost of waived fees in each of the years 2010 to 2019; and the cost waived for each individual military body; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12698/20]

Third Level Fees

Darren O'Rourke

236. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Skills the measures he will take to ensure third level fees are affordable for students who are unable to find summer work due to the Covid-19 pandemic and have had no other source of income for an extended period; his plans to provide additional financial support or to encourage third level institutions to reduce fees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12445/20]

Education Data

Darren O'Rourke

238. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of graduates from professional master’s in education qualifying to teach Irish in each of the past five years; the way in which it compares to the number graduating with mathematics and English in the same period in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12461/20]

Medicinal Products

Darren O'Rourke

532. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health when Tagrisso will be available to patients under the general medical scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12457/20]

HSE Complaints Procedures

Darren O'Rourke

533. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the avenues available to persons and families to make complaints regarding the quality of care received in public hospitals and private nursing homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12458/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Darren O'Rourke

534. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health when cinemas will be allowed to reopen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12463/20]

Sports Funding

Darren O'Rourke

722. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the efforts he and agencies under his remit are making to ensure the future viability of a sport (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12459/20]

Driver Test

Darren O'Rourke

723. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has considered an observation-only driver test delivered in dedicated testing areas in order to avoid interaction with traffic; the driver test alternatives that have been considered to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12460/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Darren O'Rourke

724. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a risk assessment has been conducted at bus stops, train stations and on public transport in view of the increasing number of passengers returning during the period of ongoing Covid-19 restriction; if large numbers waiting at train stations are considered mass gatherings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12462/20]

Sports Funding

Darren O'Rourke

738. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the additional funding which will be made available to local sporting clubs in view of the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on fundraising opportunities; if funding will be allocated to national governing bodies; the extent of funding available; the process for applying for and distributing this funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12616/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Darren O'Rourke

772. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if it is permitted to take care of the children of other persons in a person's own home at this time; if so, the guidance that has been provided in such circumstances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12443/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Darren O'Rourke

848. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if it is the case that employers are expected to pay wages for the Easter and May bank holidays of employees who were temporarily laid off and in receipt of the pandemic unemployment payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12444/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Darren O'Rourke

141. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the fact that some banks are charging interest on so-called Covid-19 mortgage breaks and that in some cases this will run into additional thousands of euro over the lifetime of a mortgage; his views on whether this is fair; the measures he is taking to stop this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11617/20]

Special Educational Needs

Darren O'Rourke

302. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans for the July provision for 2020; his views on the fact that it is an essential need in view of the Covid-19 challenge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11616/20]

Teacher Training

Darren O'Rourke

303. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the entry requirements for professional masters in primary education are increasing in 2021; the rationale for this decision; the options for students who have completed the leaving certificate but do not have the required result in Irish or mathematics, for example; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11621/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Darren O'Rourke

724. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the current advice on the wearing of face coverings in public; if it is mandatory with limited exceptions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11618/20]

Light Rail Projects

Darren O'Rourke

888. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the time frame for the feasibility study on light rail in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11609/20]

Rural Transport Programme

Darren O'Rourke

889. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the national strategy for rural transport, Connecting Ireland, will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11610/20]

Tourism Promotion

Darren O'Rourke

890. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the measures taken to ensure the future viability of Shannon Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11611/20]

Cycling Facilities

Darren O'Rourke

891. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of funding allocated to support local authorities develop and implement cycle and walkway mobility plans; the process for applying for this funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11612/20]

Aviation Industry

Darren O'Rourke

892. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the membership, terms of reference and work schedule of the task force for aviation recovery; the proposals it has submitted to his Department to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11613/20]

Public Transport

Darren O'Rourke

893. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to establish a dedicated public transport recovery task force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11614/20]

Aviation Industry

Darren O'Rourke

894. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if an organisation (details supplied) will be included on the task force for aviation recovery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11615/20]

Parking Regulations

Darren O'Rourke

895. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider extending the criteria for eligibility for the disabled parking permit to include children with autism and ADHD; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11619/20]

Rural Transport Programme

Darren O'Rourke

896. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the funding allocation under the rural transport programme in each of the years 2018, 2019 and to date in 2020, by county in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11620/20]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Darren O'Rourke

277. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Skills when apprentice mechanics who had their studies interrupted due to Covid-19 will be able to return to study; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the interruption has prevented many apprentices moving on to the next pay scale (details supplied); if he has considered a way to accommodate apprentices in the meantime; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9286/20]

Construction Regulations

Darren O'Rourke

475. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of construction workers who have been refused return to work due to the fact their Safe Pass expired before 1 March 2020; the way in which the matter will be addressed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9277/20]

Job Losses

Darren O'Rourke

476. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the measures she has taken to help reduce the number of job losses at a company (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9278/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Darren O'Rourke

477. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation when beauticians can return to work; the sector specific guidance being provided to them; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9282/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Darren O'Rourke

478. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation when driving instructors can return to work; the sector specific guidance being provided to them; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9283/20]

Hospital Services

Darren O'Rourke

682. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health his views on whether the agreement with private hospitals is providing value for money; his plans for the agreement; his plans to extend or cancel the contract; and the timeline and the criteria to be used to make this decision. [9285/20]

Hospital Services

Darren O'Rourke

683. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health his plans for the return of non-Covid-19 healthcare in acute hospitals; the timeline for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9287/20]

Hospital Appointments Status

Darren O'Rourke

684. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive a hospital appointment. [9288/20]

Hospital Appointments Status

Darren O'Rourke

685. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive a hospital appointment. [9289/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Darren O'Rourke

686. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health if Ireland will support the Costa Rica and World Health Organisation proposal to create a global pooling mechanism for rights in the data, knowledge and technologies useful in the prevention, detection and treatment of the Covid-19 pandemic which is scheduled to be launched on 29 May 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9294/20]

Driver Test

Darren O'Rourke

959. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of driver tests carried out in March, April and May in each of the years 2017, 2018 and 2019, in tabular form. [9279/20]

Driver Test

Darren O'Rourke

960. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the meetings that have taken place to discuss the future of the driver test system, that is, lessons and tests; his plans in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9280/20]

Driver Test

Darren O'Rourke

961. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has considered postponing, deferring or altering the delivery method of CPC courses for lorry, coach and bus drivers in view of Covid-19 restrictions; his plans in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9281/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Darren O'Rourke

962. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the guidelines which apply to driving a taxi during Covid-19; if passenger screens are mandatory; if so, the implications for insurance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9284/20]

Child and Family Agency

Darren O'Rourke

1024. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of referrals to Tusla in March and April 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020, by referring body and reason in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9290/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Darren O'Rourke

1245. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if temporary water supplies installed at Traveller sites nationally during Covid-19 will be retained into the future; if they are to be withdrawn as the pandemic subsides; his plans in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9424/20]

Údarás na Gaeltachta

Darren O'Rourke

1282. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if her attention has been drawn to the concerns of some members of the local community in the Baile Ghib Gaeltacht, County Meath, regarding the melting of plastic and the subsequent emissions or fumes from this in an Údarás na Gaeltachta factory (details supplied); if she will engage with Údarás na Gaeltachta in relation to these concerns; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8837/20]

Help-To-Buy Scheme

Darren O'Rourke

80. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Finance his plans to extend the help-to-buy scheme to second-hand homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7963/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Darren O'Rourke

264. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Skills the specific measures introduced to ensure continuity of learning for primary school children during the Covid-19 pandemic in view of the fact that teaching has moved from the classroom to online; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7965/20]

Garda Equipment

Darren O'Rourke

361. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda mountain bikes allocated to each Garda district within the Meath Garda division as of 31 December 2018 and 18 May 2020, in tabular form. [7960/20]

Garda Data

Darren O'Rourke

362. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí by rank attached to the Meath Garda division as of 18 May 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7961/20]

Garda Data

Darren O'Rourke

363. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí by rank attached to Meath Garda roads policing unit as of 18 May 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7962/20]

Road Safety

Darren O'Rourke

827. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the legislation which governs the use of quads and scramblers on public roads; the circumstances in which they are permitted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7964/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Darren O'Rourke

828. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if taxi drivers can avail of an insurance break or holiday or a rebate for the Covid-19 period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7966/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Darren O'Rourke

829. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if taxi drivers can avail of a break or holiday or rebate on motor tax costs for the Covid-19 period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7967/20]